The Volunteer Corps, which had been formed in Belfast
in 1779, when the coast was threatened by privateers,
had now risen to be a body of national importance.
They were reviewed in public, and complimented by
Parliament. But they were patriots. On the
28th of December, 1781, a few of the leading members
of the Ulster regiments met at Charlemont, and convened
a meeting of delegates from all the Volunteer Associations,
at Dungannon, on the 15th of February, 1782.
The delegates assembled on the appointed day, and
Government dared not prevent or interrupt their proceedings.
Colonel William Irvine presided, and twenty-one resolutions
were adopted, demanding civil rights, and the removal
of commercial restraints. One resolution expresses
their pleasure, as Irishmen, as Christians, and as
Protestants, at the relaxation of the penal laws.
This resolution was suggested by Grattan to Mr. Dobbs,
as he was leaving Dublin to join the assembly.
It was passed with only two dissentient votes.

The effect of this combined, powerful, yet determined
agitation, was decisive. On the 27th of May,
1782, when the Irish Houses met, after an adjournment
of three weeks, the Duke of Portland announced the
unconditional concessions which had been made to Ireland
by the English Parliament. Mr. Grattan interpreted
the concession in the fullest sense, and moved an
address, “breathing the generous sentiments of
his noble and confiding nature.” Mr. Flood
and a few other members took a different and more
cautious view of the case. They wished for something
more than a simple repeal of the Act of 6 George I.,
and they demanded an express declaration that England
would not interfere with Irish affairs. But his
address was carried by a division of 211 to 2; and
the House, to show its gratitude, voted that 20,000
Irish seamen should be raised for the British navy,
at a cost of L100,000, and that L50,000 should be
given to purchase an estate and build a house for Mr.
Grattan, whose eloquence had contributed so powerfully
to obtain what they hoped would prove justice to Ireland.

[Illustration: GOLDSMITH’S WELL.]

FOOTNOTES:

[547] Government.—­Harris’
Life of William III. p. 357.

[548] Insignificant.—­A petition
was sent in to Parliament by the Protestant porters
of Dublin, complaining of Darby Ryan for employing
Catholic porters. The petition was respectfully
received, and referred to a “Committee of Grievances.”—­Com.
Jour. vol. ii. f. 699. Such an instance,
and it is only one of many, is the best indication
of the motive for enacting the penal laws, and the
cruelty of them.

[549] Property.—­It will be remembered
that at this time Catholics were in a majority of
at least five to one over Protestants. Hence
intermarriages took place, and circumstances occurred,
in which Protestants found it their interest to hold
property for Catholics, to prevent it from being seized
by others. A gentleman of considerable property
in the county Kerry, has informed me that his property
was held in this way for several generations.